1. Mexico
Section 1 Page 172

2. Mexico

3. Mexico’s Landforms Isthmus-Narrow Strip of Land
Mexico’s isthmus separates Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico
Peninsula -piece of land surrounded by water.
Mexico’s is referred to as Baja and reaches the border with California
Plateau- raised plain the covers a large area
Most people of Mexico live on the plateau of Mexico.
Two large cities are here: Mexico City and Guadalajara
Mexico City is the world’s second largest city
The plateau is situated between the Sierra Madre Occidental (west) and Oriental (east).

4. Volcanoes & Earthquakes
Where the Sierra Madre Mountains come together (southern portion of Plateau), there is much volcanic activity.
Popocatepetl
Means smoking mountain
Still active
Located southwest of Mexico City
Earthquakes are common
Especially in southern Mexico
“land of the shaking earth”

5. Climate Varies greatly! 3 Common Climate Zones
Desert in the north (Sonoran)
Rain Forest in south (Yucatan Peninsula)
3 Common Climate Zones
Tierra Caliente (“Hot Land”)
Sea level – 3,000 feet
Hot summers and mild winters
No frost

6. Climate Tierra Templada (“temperate land”) Tierra Fria (“cold land”)
3,000- 6,000 feet
Temperatures range between 50F-80F
Most of the population lives within this climate zone
Most farms are here
Tierra Fria (“cold land”)
Over 6,000 Feet
Though colder this region has portions that are not very “cold”
Mostly it is the high mountains which see snow
The mountains of this climate zone influence much of Mexico’s population

7. Rainfall
Portions of northern Mexico see little rain because of being blocked by the mountains (desert)
Central Mexico has both a rainy (spring and summer) and dry season (fall and winter)
Yucatan has longer and heavy rainy seasons
Results in numerous tropical forest